As access to cannabis and its many forms expand, the traditional image of a “stoner” can feel outdated. What was once a stereotypical label has now become a fluid concept, defined more by individual perception than any universal standard.

 “I still think there is a certain sense of negative stigma around it,” said Noah Schremser, a DePaul junior studying political science. “There could be people that are using it for legitimate reasons or recreationally, and most of the time they have their stuff together.”

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a “stoner” as “a person who habitually uses drugs or alcohol.” Laziness, forgetfulness and a disordered image are also common stereotypes associated with the term, stemming from longstanding societal narratives and historical framing of cannabis users as a subculture tracing back to the 1920s to 1970s. Today’s limited definition and generalizations feel disconnected from reality in an era when cannabis is more accepted.

Rylie Jensen, a DePaul junior studying chemistry with a minor in cannabis studies, agrees that the term has taken on a new meaning.

“Cannabis culture has absolutely reclaimed ‘stoner’ and now uses it to insert pride into their lives,” Jensen said. “Rather than being seen as lazy and slow, being a stoner now emphasizes creativity, introspection, curiosity and reflection.”

The way someone chooses to use cannabis also may influence their “stoner” status. From edibles and drinks to vapes and the traditional joint, there are many ways to consume marijuana.

 That said, Jensen noted that there are potentially serious health risks associated with someone’s method of choice and frequency of use.

“My background in chemistry has allowed me to study the different ways people use cannabis, from edibles and wax to traditional flower,” Jensen said. “We know for a fact that inhaling smoke carries risks for the lungs.”

Beyond that, THC taken in any form poses risks to the brain, especially for those in their teens and 20s, according to a study published in Neurology International.

Whether you have never tried cannabis, only get high with friends on occasion or make it a part of your daily routine, for some, the method of use seems to define the modern-day stoner. Schremser said smoking cannabis is considered a stoner attribute. 

“Perception definitely does matter,” he said. “If you’re smoking weed, that’s a stoner thing. If you take an edible, where it’s less noticeable and there’s no smell, you don’t get called out as much.”

For some, the casual use of cannabis has caused a divide between those who partake in it and those who do not.

Bau Lai Vang, a DePaul junior studying film and television, said the divide is noticeable.

“I personally do not do weed, but I have friends that do,” Vang said. “I have never felt forced into doing it, but there is a sense of separation between those who do and do not.”

While the frequency or method of use can define a stoner, Jensen said the classification can also come from the community it provides. 

“While being a ‘stoner’ has become much more romanticized in modern-day America,” she said, “especially as cannabis has become legal in a few states, for many it remains a space for community that they haven’t been able to find elsewhere.”

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